There are few foods that feel as nourishing and foundational as a long-simmered bowl of ramen. And if you grew up slurping one-dimensional, MSG-laden Top Ramen or Cup Noodles from the package, entering the world of real ramen — in all its long-simmered, pork belly-laden glory — is like going from black and white to Technicolor. Philly has its share of authentic spots (with more on the way) serving a variety of styles, so there’s no reason not to try them all, one delicious bowl at a time. Here are some of our favorite spots in the city to get a warming bowl of ramen.

Nom Nom Ramen | Facebook

Hiro Ramen House, Washington Square WestHiro is known for not cutting corners with its long-simmered, house-made broths. For an extra-spicy, sweat-inducing bowl, get their Best of Philly-winning Gates of Hell ramen, made with pork belly, bean sprouts, and bamboo shoots in a spicy broth spiked with “intense” chili oil.

Terakawa, Chinatown and University CityLong considered Chinatown’s destination for ramen, Terakawa expanded with a big new location on the Penn campus earlier this year — all the better to get their bowls built around savory, long-cooked stock made in-house.

Nom Nom Ramen, Center CityThis spot at 18th and Market specializes in Hakata-style ramen, typically made with a pork bone broth — but you can get these Best of Philly-winning bowls built around chicken or veggies, too.

Morimoto | Facebook

Morimoto, Washington Square WestStephen Starr’s Japanese outpost does contemporary Japanese from sushi to katsu curry to ramen. Get a steamy bowl made with chicken, pork, or veggie-based broth.

CoZara, University CityTheir deep menu of Japanese classics includes ramen bowls based on chicken, pork, and seafood — and you can get them at lunch or dinner.

Cheu Noodle Bar, Washington Square West and FishtownShawn Darragh and Ben Puchowitz’s flagship — and its big, shiny sister on Frankford Avenue — gives ramen the Asian fusion-Jewish diaspora treatment the duo are known for with a version loaded with brisket, matzo balls, and kimchi.

Rayaki | Facebook

Rayaki, Cherry HillThis spot, which opened last year in the relative ramen desert of South Jersey, has anime and comic book characters painted on its walls and a hefty list of ramen options. Try bowls spiked with black garlic oil or loaded with New York strip steak, salmon, or a shellfish trio.

Ai Ramen, Center CityThis spot in the Shops at Liberty Place serves a tight but tasty slate of ramen in flavors like miso garlic butter as well as more traditional styles, along with a few bao buns and sushi rolls for good measure.

Yamitsuki, ChinatownThis spot at 11th and Arch — just look for the giant Iron Man robot in the window — does ramen all day long. But you can hit them up for their lunch special, which gets you a great deal on a bowl and a bao Monday through Thursday. Step up the heat in your bowl with a “spicy bomb,” but use caution — it’s not for amateurs.